"People can write what they like and say what they like," said Herbert. "We exposed them [in the second half] - there were good periods of play, we got a couple of goals and who knows if Jeremy Brockie had got his [40th minute] penalty? It was a very solid, positive, good performance."
Player ratings: All Whites v Mexico
One Night in November: An oral history of the All Whites' win over Bahrain
The high pressing game was always going to be dangerous against a team with the pedigree of Mexico and they ruthlessly punished New Zealand on the counter attack in the first half. But with the result of the tie dead and buried, it was good to see the All Whites with some genuine verve and pace on attack, with teenage fullback Bill Tuiloma and Kosta Barbarouses particular stand outs.
"The last 45 minutes was incredibly refreshing" said Herbert. "Every week I hear in the A League about possession based football and people need a year to get it right and get it ready; we are probably not going to get it right in one night against Mexico."
Herbert's critics have long advocated the kind of positive approach on display last night.
Whether he has had the players available to play a possession based style is debatable, but Herbert has never seemed to encourage an approach that values keeping the ball.
His contract has officially expired, but he will complete review and feedback processes with New Zealand Football over the next few weeks.
